Closure means



p 1969 E. D. KITTREDGE 3,467,998

CLOSURE MEANS Filed March 9, 1967 8| m/z/g/vro/g fin Mi 5. 5/7 719.5055

United States Patent 3,467,998 CLOSURE MEANS Edward D. Kittredge, Wentworth Road, Portsmouth, N.H. 03801 Filed Mar. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 621,954 Int. Cl. A44b 19/00 US. Cl. 24205.1 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A closure means or slide fastener is provided which acts as a seal between opposed elongated edges to be joined together. Preferably, demistaples are used which are interengaged to provide a hinge action about a center line with base portions of keeps provided by the demistaples pressing against a resilient material to join faces of the closure means in good sealing engagement under all conditions of use when the closure means is closed. A slide acts to open and close the closure means by interlocking or disengaging a plurality of the demistaples. The closure means permits rapid and eflicient sealing resistant to gas and liquid passage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A large variety of slide fastener devices are known which act to join two edges of fabrics and like sheet material. Such prior art devices have often had one or more disadvantages. For example, often high costs are involved in producing acceptable slide fasteners. The teeth or demistaple arrangements often do not provide for good sealing action when stresses are applied to the fastener. In some cases, the devices are easily subject to malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a closure means has a pair of elongated opposed resilient seal bodies each defining axially extending mounting slots. Each of the bodies has a sealing face and are constructed and ar ranged to be resiliently compressed against each other to form a seal. A plurality of demistaples are positioned in each of the slots. Each of the demistaples has a downwardly extending keep mounted in a slot with opposing keeps urging the faces into contacting sealing engagement when the demistaples are interengaged with each other. Slide means are used to interengage the demistaples along a central axis and permit limited pivotable movement of the keeps toward and away from the faces when the faces are maintained in contacting relationship.

It is a feature of this invention, that the keeps apply pressure to resiliently urge the faces together. The pressure is increased when forces are applied from either the inside or outside of the slide fastener. In addition, when pressures are applied transverse to the line seal formed between the faces, the sealing pressure is increased thereby assuring positive sealing action during all conditions of use.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following disclosure when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the slide fastener of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1; r

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a seal body thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of a demistaple thereof;

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of a slide thereof;

3,467,998 Patented Sept. 23, 1969 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an end closure therefor; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective rear view of a group of demistaples showing opposing keeps thereof joined together 1n two lines.

Turning now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a closure means or slide fastener 10 is shown interconnecting opposing edges of a fabric 17 substantially along a center line 11. The closure means comprises a locking slide 12, opposing non-stretch mounting strips or bands 13 and 14, a plurality of opposed demistaples 15 and opposing seal bodies 16 and 18. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each seal body comprises an elongated strip of resilient material such as foam rubber which can have an outer skin such as 16a and 18a of solid rubber or other resilient material surrounding it along its length. Only seal body 16 will fully be described since seal body 18 is a substantial duplicate of the seal body 16.

A longitudinally extending slot 19 is provided in the seal body preferably substantially parallel to a primary sealing face 20 providing a crown or face 21 at the top of the seal body over which a part of slide 12 runs. An underlying substantially fiat base 22 acts as a means for attachment of the fabric 17 to the seal body as by stitching, gluing or the use of known adhesion means. In some cases, an extension 23 can be provided extending longitudinally of the seal face and connected with the flat base 22 as indicated by the dotted line shown in FIG. 3. When a slit in a material is to be joined, no extension is used; however, when a slot is used, facing edges of the material butt the extensions on the seal body.

Preferably a non-stretch strip band as indicated at 13 and 14 overlies the curved surfaces 20 of each seal body 18 and 16 respectively and is attached to the material 17 at One side with an overlapping extension portion 20a protruding above and spaced from the crown 21 for purposes as will be described. The bands can be made of conventional woven nylon strips as known for use in zippers.

Lying within each slot 19 is a longitudinally extending limited stretch band 25 preferably dimensioned to be snugly received within the slot along its entire length. The stretch bands 25 are preferably made of a stretch material such as a stretch woven nylon material and can have Teflon or other low coefficient friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the slide 12 over the crown 21. The band 25 has an upwardly extending leg 24, a second upwardly extending leg 24a and a horizontally extending portion 26 directly overlying the crown 21 of each seal body 11 as best shown in FIG. 2. Preferably the stretch band is aflixed to the slot by gluing although it can lie loose within the slot if desired. When a stretch band is not used, the slide 12 moves over the crown 21 directly.

A plurality of demistaples are arranged preferably in opposed parallel rows within the stretch band slots 19 as best seen in FIG. 2. Only a single demistaple which lies on the left-hand side of the slide fastener as shown in FIG. 2 will be fully described; however, the right-hand demistaples are substantially identical but are three dimensional rotated images of the left-hand demistaples with sockets reversed as will be understood from the description.

3 As best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 9, each demistaple 15 has a top transverse curved top member 30 defining a' finger extension end 31 and a knuckle end 32. A down- Wardly extending portion of the transverse member carries a female receptacle or scoop lug socket 33 on one side and a scoop lug member 34 on its other side. The downward extension is connected to a keep 35 by a portion 36 f the demistaple spaced from the preferably parallel to the knuckle extension portion of the transverse member 30. This defines a space or slot 37 into which snugly fit the bands such as 14 as best shown in FIG. 2. Since the bands are made of a non-stretch material, they prevent separation of the demistaples along a central axis such as 11 of the slide fastener as will be described.

Each keep 35 is preferably planar in form and may be tapered slightly at its sides toward its lower edge. The keeps are preferably tapered inwardly at a slight angle toward opposing keeps as best shown in FIG. 2. Each keep is positioned within a stretch band slot and preferably adhered to the stretch band by glue or other adhesive means. Preferably the keeps lie in side by side re lationship along the slots formed by the seal bodies although as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9, keeps within each slot can be integral or joined together at adjacent extension 38 to form two integral opposing rows of demistaples. Each keep defines preferably planar tip end rests 40 and 41 upon which finger extensions 31 of opposing demistaples hear when the non-stretch bands in slots 37 underlie the finger extension in the closed position of the slide fastener. The keeps preferably lie in two substantially parallel rows but are angled inwardly toward the bottom of the slide fastener as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. Thus when pressure is applied to the slide fastenor from the top, the wedge action of the keeps causes portions 87 and 89 to be compressed strengthening the seal formed.

The demistaples are preferably made of a rigid plastic material and can be injection molded individually or in groups on the bands 13 and 14. The keeps can also be made of metal or other substantially rigid materials if desired.

The scoop lugs 34 and scoop lug sockets or female receptacles 33 are preferably aligned along line 11 overlying a sealing line formed between the sealing faces 20. Thus, when the scoop lugs are engaged in the scoop lug sockets closing the slide fastener, a central pivot line is is established about which the demistaples could pivot. However, the demistaples are prevented from pivoting so that their keeps would move apart on either side of the sealing faces since the finger extensions rest on underlying tip rests when pressure is applied on the top side of the slide fastener a shown in FIG. 2. When pressure is applied from the bottom side of the slide fastener as shown in FIG. 2, the keeps are urged toward each other by pressure within the seal bodies 16 and 18. Moreover, if the keeps do move slightly toward each other, the seal is only made stronger since more resilient material of the seal bodies is compressed.

The slide 12 is preferably a stamped metal member shown in expanded form in FIG. from the blank 40. In some cases, the slide 12 can be made of a molded plastic or other material. A conventional slide handle 42 is preferably provided hinged at 42' in accordance with known practice.

The slide has a top generally C-shaped member 43 defining inwardly curved knuckle guides 44 and 45 tapered toward the rear 46 from a front bent over wedge web 47 to bring the demistaples on either side of the slide fastener together when the slide is moved toward the right in FIG. 1 and to separate the demistaples as it is moved toward the left. A wedge-shaped sliding surface is provided by tabs 47a. An undersurface tongue 48 of the slide has holes 49 passing therethrough to receive a lock- '4 ing means of a dock as will be described. In some cases, nolo'cking means is' used while in other cases alternate means are possible. I

As best shown in FIG. 7, specially formed end demistaples 50 and 51 for a separating type of slide fastener are positioned at the end of the slide fastener. When the fabric edges to be closed by the slide fastener are always joined at the starting end, regular demistaples 15 can be used at that end if desired. The term separating type refers to a slide fastener for edges of fabrics that are completely separable at one or both ends. Member 50 defines a crown 52 and a hole 53 with a downwardly depending keep 54. Similarly demistaple 51 has a mating surface 55 to overlie the crown 52 with a forwardly projecting scoop lug 56 adapted to interlock with the hole 53 to seal the demistaples 50 and 51 in closed position. The downwardly extending keep 55 coacts with keep 54 as do the keeps of other demistaples of the slide fastener. The rear end of demistaple 50 carries an upwardly extending stop 50a to limit rearward travel of the slide 12 and prevent it from falling off of demistaple 50 when the slide fastener is opened and demistaple 51 removed along with its corresponding edge of material. The rear -end of demistaple 51 carries a scoop lug for interengagement with a female scoop lug socket 33 of a demistaple 15 adjacent to it in the rows of demistaples of the slide fastener. Knuckles 60 and 61 are interengaged with the knuckle guides 44 and 45 of the slide 12.

Preferably an end seal for the slide fastener for the end that is capable of opening is formed as shown in FIG. 8. A dock 70 is provided preferably of a resilient material similar to that used for the seal bodies which may be foam rubber or a hard resilient solid rubber. The dock 70 is preferably made as an integral unit as shown. A wedgeshaped forward end 71 is adapted to fit within the end sealing faces 20 of the seal bodies and form a gas and water end seal when the slide is in the position shown in FIG. 1 and completely closed since the resilient seal bodies are compressed against the wedge end 71. In the case of a separating type slide fastener, separate wedges 72 and 73 of a semi-hard material can be glued to the faces 20 at the end of the seal bodies and form an end seal. When the slide fastener is moved toward that end and into engagement with demistaples lying in the slots on either side of the wedge-shaped dock members 72 and 73, they will be pressed together to form a seal. A pliable band 77 as of metal, may be molded in the dock to resist vertical distortions.

Preferably the dock or the separate dock members 72 and 73 define upwardly and forwardly extending pins 74 and 75 which are adapted to engage the holes 49 of the slide to hold the slide in the closed position. Release of the slide can be accomplished merely by pulling upwardly and slightly forward to disengage the holes 49 whereupon the slide can be moved rearwardly as shown in the figures to open the slide fastener.

Turning now to the operation of the slide fastener of this invention, it is formed by placing a row of keeps 15 in one slot and an opposing row of keeps in the second slot 19 as best shown in FIG. 2. The keeps of the demistaples are preferably cemented in place although they can be held in place when the slide fastener is opened by being force fit into the slots and resiliently held therein due to the resilient nature of the seal bodies. The slide 12 is located in place surrounding the knuckles 60 and 61 at the left-hand end of the slide of the type shown in FIG. 1 with the opposing rows of demistaples disengaged from each other. To close the slide fastener, the slide 12 is moved so asto cause successive demistaples of each row engaging the scoop lug recetpacles 33 as the slide fastener moves. Preferably keeps of opposing demistaples are spaced as shown in FIG. 9 so that a solid portion of each planar keep is opposite each vertical separation 80 of two opposing keeps. The primary seal is formed at the faces 20 by the resilient pressing action of the keeps toward the faces compressing the material when engaged along the pivot line 11 thereby forming a water and airtight seal due to the resiliency of the material of the seal bodies. When pressure is exerted from the underside of the seal as shown in FIG. 2, the keeps are prevented from substantial movement which would part the scoop lug joints by strips 13 and 14 and any slight pivoting causes them to be pressed more closely together toward the seal faces to pivot slightly about the hinges formed by the scoop lugs and thereby tighten the seal. When the fabric 17 is pulled transversely on either side of the line formed by the seal faces 20, compressive action of the seal bodies urges the seal faces together. When pressure is exerted on the outside of the closure from the top as shown in FIG. 2, the fingers 21 press against the tip rest preventing movement of the keeps away from each other assuring maintenance of good sealing action and as the keeps cannot be pivoted away from each other, seal body portions 87 and 89 are wedged together more tightly when depressed. Moreover, when a force is exerted on either side of the seal of this invention, the seal bodies tend to be compressed whereupon greater sealing action is obtained at the seal faces.

While specific embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, many variations thereof are possible. For example, the particular materials used can vary greatly. In some cases, the particular design of various elements can be modified. The stretch band 25 can be eliminated if desired. Similarly, various end closures can be used. The docks such as 70, 72 and 73 can be modified. While dock 70 is preferably used for closing and sealing a slit or slot with a fabric or material entirely surrounding the slide fastener, the dock can be separated into equal halves at a center line if a material is to be joined adjacent an end thereof as by a slide fastener line perpendicular or at an angle to an edge of the material. The particular material joined by the slide fastener of this invention, can vary greatly and can be waterproof textiles, plastics and the like. The slide fastener, since its structure may be externalized, can be used in various applications, such as footwear, which would benefit the wearer by an absence of any inward protrusion whatsoever of the fastening means.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure means comprising, first and second longitudinally extending resiliently compressible seal bodies defining an outer side, an inner side and constructed and arranged to be urged into sealing engagement with each other at sealing faces thereof along a sealing line, a first plurality of seriatim arranged demistaples mounted on said first seal body, a second plurality of seriatim arranged demistaples mounted on said second seal body, said demistaples each comprising a keep extending toward said inner side with the keeps of said first plurality of demistaples forming a first row parallel to a second row formed by the keeps of said second plurality of demistaples and said first and second rows being parallel to said sealing line,

slide means for engaging said demistaples of said first row successively with said demistaples of said second row about a pivot line to cause said keeps to compress said seal bodies into sealing engagement, said keeps each defining a fingertip rest portion and having an extension portion extending at least to said pivot line, I

said extension portion of each keep carrying a top member extending transversely of said pivot line with a finger extension of said top member constructed and arranged to lie above said fingertip rest of an opposing keep whereby pivoting of opposing keeps of said first and second rows is prevented in use,

and means for holding each of said demistaples in interengagement with adjacent demistaples along said pivot line upon actuation of said slide means,

said last-mentioned means being mounted on the extension portion of each demistaple.

2. A closure means in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a non-stretch strip positioned over at least one of said seal bodies.

3. A closure means in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a rigid band overlying each of said seal bodies with portions thereof positioned between said tip rest portion and said finger extension of opposing keeps.

4. A closure means in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said demistaples defines said holding means including an extension and a female receptacle for an extension of an adjacent keep.

5. A closure means in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said keeps is substantially planar.

6. A closure means in accordance with claim 3 wherein keeps of adjacent demistaples in each row are joined to each other.

7. A closure means in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of saidseal bodies defines an elongated slot parallel to said sealing faces,

with said keeps of said first row of demistaples being mounted in one of said slots and said keeps of said second row of demistaples being mounted in the other of said slots.

8. A closure means in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising each of said top members further defining a knuckle extension portion constructed and arranged to lie above the keep of its demistaple.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,651,091 9/ 1953 Priestley 24-205.1 2,753,609 7/ 1956 Gossner 24205.1 2,888,727 6/1959 Heinberger 24205.1 3,072,991 1/1963 Alberts.

3,082,501 3/1963 Brown 24205.1 3,103,051 9/1963 Iwatsuki 24-205.1

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner 

